We are working with a fantastic independent practice in a lovely area of County Durham who are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Veterinary Surgeon to join their wonderful team on a permanent basis.

The Practice:

This friendly practice is well equipped, having recently undergone expansion, and operates from a purpose converted building close to the town shops. They have a quiet ward and waiting room, and a dedicated euthanasia room. The practice has state of the art equipment including ultrasound, in-house laboratory, digital radiography and much more. They are a Vet Nurse training practice with plenty of nursing staff with nurses always on hand to assist the vets. This is a mixed practice but mainly small animal which amounts to approximately 90% of the case load. The practice does home, farm and equine visits.

The Role:

This is a full-time permanent position, usually working 4 days per week with Fridays or Mondays off tied together to give a long weekend off approximately every 4 to 6 weeks depending on holidays. Bank holidays are shared with days off in lieu. There is one night on call most weeks, as well as one weekend in four on call with Saturdays in surgery. The rota is sympathetically drawn to try to suit specific requests where possible. Although occasional nights and weekends are busy, the on-call workload is usually reasonable.

Regular working hours are from 8:30am to 6pm, or 6:30pm if on call from Monday to Friday. Saturday morning surgery times are 8:30am to 12pm on a rota for 2 vets.

The practice sees varied interesting caseloads with a vet interested in exotics and another in acupuncture. Very few surgical cases are referred out, but there are good local referral centres for both small and large animals if needed. Vets can follow their own cases, and professional development such as operating skills are encouraged and supported within the practice.

The joining vet will need to be willing to see an occasional large animal out of hours but would always have support at least via telephone from the more experienced large animal vets. They can participate in sharing any day farm or horse visits if desired.

New graduates are not allocated on call until at least 6 to 8 weeks in the practice.

In return the practice can offer a competitive salary, depending on experience, with a new graduate salary starting at £31,500 including housing allowance. On call bonus varies, but usually equates to between £300 and £900 per month. CPD is encouraged and funded with allowance and time off. Sick leave is paid for 6 weeks in any twelve-month period once employed form 12 months. Holiday entitlement is 4 weeks plus bank holidays. Professional indemnity insurance is paid by the practice, and they have a workplace pension. Annual pay reviews have exceeded inflation for the last 8 years and includes an experience weighting for the first five years qualified. A vehicle is provided for work and personal use, with a housing allowance which is weighted to almost cover an average local rental.

The Candidate:

This position could suit a new or inexperienced graduate, as the vet will never be left unsupported. Backup from experienced vets is available and generously given always. The role could also suit a more experienced vet looking to spend more time working with small animals while keeping in contact with the large animal side.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a happy, friendly and established team with an excellent salary and benefits package on offer!

To qualify for this position, you must be fully registered with the RCVS and you must be eligible to work in the UK.

What happens next: Click APPLY to apply for this role and a member of our team will be in touch if you have been successful.

To discuss the role in more details:

Please call or email our team to discuss the specific details for this role such as practice details, exact location, salaries or any other queries you may have. Please also quote reference (above) when enquiring about this vacancy.

To have a no obligation confidential discussion or to enquire about other positions in this area please contact us today on 01423 701 321, alternatively email info@recruit4vets.co.uk

Recruit4vets are specialist recruiters for the veterinary industry and act as an employment agency for the supply of permanent staff and an employment business for the supply of locum staff, to view more positions like this, visit http://www.recruit4vets.co.uk you can also find us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/recruit4vets